Swept Hilt Rapier–help with inscription
			 
			 
			
		
		
		
			
			Hi Guys 
 
I believe this swept hilt to be Italian?  However, I am unable to identify the letters on the blade and the marking on the ricasso is also difficult to place.  Based on the Pommel and hilt configuration it is probably early seventeen century. 
 
Overall Length	43 ½”  110.7 cm  
Blade length	35 1/8”  from bottom of shell guard to tip 
Blade widest point	7/8”  2.3 cm 
Hilt widest point	10”  25.2 cm 
Inside grip length	3 ¼”  8.3 cm 
 
Description 
Plain steel Swept Hilt Rapier made up of a Mushroom facetted pommel; wire-bound grip, straight quillons, hilt arms; triple ring guard; the smallest filled with a plate pieced; loop-guard, knuckle-bow; counterguards.  Diamond Section blade inscribed?  Probably Italian Early 17th Century. 
 
References: 
DUFTY, Arthur Richard   EUROPEAN SWORDS AND DAGGERS IN THE TOWER OF LONDON plate 24 d 
NORMAN, A.V.B.  THE RAPIER AND THE SMALL-SWORD 1460-1820, Pp132 Hilt 60 & 61, pp 264 Pommel 55 pp 267 Pommel 61 
Wallace Collection A605 Rapier 
 
Any assistance identifying these letters combined with the mark on the ricasso will be most appreciated. 
 
Cheers Cathey and Rex
		 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
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